Providing Clean Water To Kenya

Earlier this year, I made it one of my goals to visit Africa. A place I have never had the opportunity to explore. Now, however, I can officially say that I have been there and done that!

In partnership with the wonderful and caring people over at Lifestraw, we were able to travel to Kenya to provide fresh water sources for the people and schools in the area. Being able to see the joy of the children’s faces first-hand is something I will never forget. They were so adorable and excited to see us. Everybody was so generous as well, inviting us into their lives and culture. They taught me all sorts of new things, one of them being how to carry water on my head! I suppose I should say they tried to teach me how to carry water on my head. I wasn’t so successful! They were so good at it that they could dance while the jugs were on their heads!

We also were able to go out exploring! Catching some awesome sunset photos over the jungle and hiking down into waterfalls. On these hikes we were lucky enough to be able to see some of the local wildlife that resides in Kenya, as well!

When I first arrived, I thought I was there to help the people of Kenya. After getting onto my plane home, I realized, they were the ones that helped me. It was with a heavy heart that I had to leave and head home. But, the experience I had is something that will never leave me. For that, I am thankful! Asante, Kenya!

Take a look at my Instagram, @jjyosh, for some more content from the trip!

View this post on Instagram

Today was my first official day in Kenya! So thrilled to be here to help @lifestraw install water filtration systems in schools across Kakamega County. . . Today I got to test out some of the filters in the local streams that many of the people drink from. No exaggeration this water really is this murky. Luckily I was able to use my portable @lifestraw to drink this dirty water from the source. . . Tomorrow we will be showing Kenyan children the importance of drinking clean water and how easy it is to start cleaning their own water at their schools and at home. . . Who would drink from this water? What about with the @lifestraw filter? . . #lifestraw #lifestrawpartner . . Picture by @davidmrule

A post shared by JJ Yosh (@jjyosh) on Feb 4, 2019 at 12:12pm PST

View this post on Instagram

My final day in Kenya is filled with sadness and joy as a reflect upon my experience. For the past week we taught children in schools across western Kenya the importance of drinking safe clean water to prevent disease and illness. . . We also installed @lifestraw community water systems to enable the teachers and students to have clean drinking water in their schools for the first time. . . I wouldn’t at all consider myself a teacher, but this week I definitely stepped into that role and this picture sums it up. I’m so grateful how attentive these children were — they were so eager to learn. Another fascinating thing was how much they loved clean water. If you offered water to a kid in the states they would most likely protest until you gave them soda. In Kenya clean water is more desired than soda —which is something we all can appreciate it! . . Thank you @lifestraw for this incredible experience. I may have found a new vocation. . . #lifestraw #lifestrawpartner . . Picture by @davidmrule

A post shared by JJ Yosh (@jjyosh) on Feb 9, 2019 at 9:17am PST

View this post on Instagram

Kenya Trip part 4 with @lifestraw – absolutely amazing trip! Especially watching these talented children balance almost 5 gallons on their head and dance too!!! . . Could you do that?

A post shared by JJ Yosh (@jjyosh) on Feb 18, 2019 at 8:55am PST